UFC, ESPN announce extensive partnership

UFC and Disney announced an exclusive partnership that includes live UFC Fight Night events on ESPN Plus, effective January 2019.

In what is the first media-rights agreement between ESPN and UFC, the agreement could include up to 15 live "UFC on ESPN+ Fight Night" events per year, with 12 bouts on each card.

"UFC is a premier global sports property with legions of incredibly avid fans," ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro said. "We are excited to be able to bring their world-class events and content to ESPN+ and ESPN Networks. This agreement shows the commitment we have to delivering fans the very best across our entire platform."

ESPN Plus is a direct-to-consumer platform, although UFC will continue to operate its own similar platform.

UFC and FOX are completing a seven-year exclusive rights deal signed in 2011.

"I couldn't be more excited to partner with The Walt Disney Company and ESPN on an agreement that will continue to grow our sport. UFC has always done deals with the right partners at the right time and this one is no exception," UFC president Dana White said. "We will now have the ability to deliver fights to our young fan base wherever they are and whenever they want. This deal is a home run for ESPN and UFC."

The agreement goes beyond digital broadcast of events. ESPN will air UFC content across multiple platforms, including a 30-minute special prior to every UFC pay-per-view event. ESPN will also archive and televise previous fights on ESPN platforms.